New ferry will begin service on the Dublin to Holyhead route in the Irish Sea in early 2020
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Stena Line’s new Stena Estrid has successfully completed sea trials in China’s Yellow Sea.
Stena Estrid spent three days undergoing tests to confirm that her systems are fully operational and meet necessary operational requirements. Engineers tested engine performance and fuel consumption, navigation and radio equipment, emergency systems, speed, manoeuvrability, engine and thrusters, and safety.
“Sea trials are a critical phase in a new ship’s development, as our first opportunity to take a new vessel out to sea, put her through her paces and test that she is up to the high standards required by Stena Line,” said Paul Grant, chief commercial officer for the Irish Sea and North Sea at Stena Line. “We systematically go through all aspects of the new ship and I am pleased to say that Stena Estrid has successfully completed every trial.”
Stena Estrid is the first of five new ro-pax ferries that are being built by China’s AVIC Weihai Shipyard for Stena Line and will be one of three introduced on the company’s Irish Sea routes. The vessel will begin service on the Dublin to Holyhead route in early 2020.
The 215-metre-long vessel will be larger than standard ro-pax ferries and will have capacity for 1,000 passengers and crew, 120 cars and 3,100 lane metres for freight.
“The Irish Sea is very important to Stena Line’s global business and represents a significant part of our overall revenue,” said Niclas Mårtensson, CEO of Stena Line. “Stena Estrid will bring many benefits to our customers including speedy and efficient loading and unloading operations, plus further development of our Scandinavian-inspired facilities including our restful and bespoke Hygge Lounge and the latest upgrade of our premium product, the Stena Plus concept. The new ships will be spacious, light and make great use of panoramic views.”
Sister ship Stena Edda will debut on the route between Belfast and Liverpool in spring 2020, and Stena Embla will join the same route in early 2021.